Biomimicry and Business: Learning from Nature

Module description

Summary:

The module will look at how nature is inspiring innovations that: increase energy and resource productivity; eliminate the concept of waste; catalyse the shift from product to service-oriented economies; build natural and social capital, and enhance business resilience. The module will cover systems thinking; Gaia Theory; ecosystem principles and concepts; and ecological design frameworks informed by nature such as Biomimicry Life Principles, Cradle to Cradle, the Natural Step; and the nature-inspired Firm of the Future. It also provides an opportunity to think more philosophically about the natural world and our place within it. It will explore contested narratives about people and nature and how diverse perspectives are embedded in policies, institutions, leadership styles and business models. The module will include a short residential period off campus, that will provide an opportunity for experiential learning, working on a design challenge, discussion, debate and storytelling that will give you a direct experience of the interconnectedness and interdependence of natural and human systems.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation: The concepts of biomimicry are, by definition, global in nature and application.

Employability: The module will enhance your debating and communication skills, your ability to communicate sustainable business concepts and think more innovatively.

Sustainability: Learning from nature is a fundamental concept underpinning sustainability.

Corporate Engagement: Guest speakers will contribute to the module, including Atos Consulting.

Full module specification

Module title:

Biomimicry and Business: Learning from Nature

Module code:

MBAM821

Module level:

M

Academic year:

2014/5

Module lecturers:

Dr Sally Jeanrenaud - Convenor

Module credit:

12

ECTS value:

6

Pre-requisites:

None

Co-requisites:

None

Duration of module:

Duration (weeks) - term 3:

4-day module (+ 8 weeks study)

Module aims

The objectives of this module are to explore how business is learning from nature to design smarter products, processes and systems, and to critically examine the relevance of ecological design to human systems.

3. demonstrate a critical appreciation of major discourses connecting people and nature (theocentric, anthropocentric and ecocentric) and their relevance for business today.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

4. learn individually and collectively how to apply sustainability design principles to organizations as well as complex sustainability issues (e.g. systems thinking; cradle-to-cradle and life principles).

ILO: Personal and key skills

5. demonstrate confidence in debating skills, and effectively communicate sustainable business concepts, individually as well as a member of a team

6. communicate effectively to others how the study of nature can inform business process and system design.